Peter Cox, convener of the Australia India Chamber of Commerce National Industry Group for Real Estate and Infrastructure, shared insights on the diverse organizations in the group. These include companies with real estate portfolios, building construction firms, professional advisors like architects and engineers, and technology firms, especially in prop-tech.

Cox recounted his bold move into the Indian market in 2000, drawn by growth potential as his consultancy hit a glass ceiling in Australia. Initially, he explored Southeast Asia, but India emerged as the target due to specific invitations. His company was the only one from a six-company consortium to invest in India, a decision driven by opportunity and relationships.

Despite efforts, Australian businesses have shown reluctance to enter India due to concerns about corruption, safety, and profit repatriation. Cox emphasized showing companies the opportunity by facilitating meetings with potential clients, staff, and suppliers to ease doubts.

He addressed Australia’s limited foreign direct investment (FDI) in India compared to other countries like the US, UK, and Germany. He cited expectations for easy market entry and lack of perseverance as barriers. However, he shared a success story where a one-week exploratory mission in India resulted in four tangible opportunities for Australian companies.

Cox highlighted India's real estate sector, expected to grow from $300 billion to $1 trillion by 2029, supporting 70 million jobs. He believes Australian investors should pay more attention to this booming sector. While FDI in India is regulated, it is not as restrictive as other markets, allowing companies to own commercial and residential property.

Cox's own consultancy, now three years old with 60 staff, is involved in large-scale real estate projects, handling millions of square meters in both commercial and residential developments. He invites interested parties to connect through the Australia India Chamber of Commerce.

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In our first How India™ podcast episode, host by Steve Davis talks to Jasmine Batra of Arrow Digital. Jasmine is the co-convener of the Technology Innovation and Startup National Industry Group, reflects on her first start-up, Employ India, launched in 1998. At a time when the internet was accessed through dial-up connections and search engines like Yahoo and AltaVista dominated, Jasmine, fresh out of her MBA, co-founded a job portal to connect Indian IT professionals with overseas opportunities. Despite the challenges of establishing trust in a nascent digital market, Employ India thrived with an innovative model where job seekers paid to be listed. The company quickly became cash-positive, receiving recognition as one of the top 10 job portals in India by the Economic Times.

Jasmine transitioned into helping companies with digital marketing and visibility, founding Arrow Digital in 2007. With Google gaining prominence, she focused on growth marketing to ensure companies were seen online. Over the years, she has adapted to the evolving digital landscape, including the rise of platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp, which play key roles in India.

Jasmine emphasises the diversity of India's market, explaining that each state has its own unique culture, language, and economic environment. This complexity requires companies to select the right launch location and adapt their strategies accordingly. She points out that while India can be price-sensitive, it also has an appetite for high-quality, premium products, as seen with luxury car sales. For companies entering the market, understanding cultural nuances and aligning marketing efforts with major festivals like Diwali is crucial.

Now leading the National Industry Group, Jasmine assists start-ups in validating and commercialising in India. She stresses the importance of building relationships and leveraging chambers of commerce to navigate India’s complex business landscape. Jasmine runs events, including pitch fests and delegations to India, to facilitate market entry for Australian companies.

For those looking to explore opportunities in India, Jasmine advises reaching out through her website, jasminebatra.com, or the Australia India Chamber of Commerce. The National Industry Group offers support, market insights, and connections at both federal and state levels, helping companies better understand regional dynamics and establish a successful presence in the Indian market.

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From tragedy comes inspiration. Nick Lee is the Founders and Chair at the Jodi Lee Foundation, raising awareness about bowel cancer. The Jodi Lee Foundation was created in honour of Nick’s wife who passed away from bowel cancer in 2010. In this podcast you will discover the power of passion, the importance of collaboration, inspiration to use your voice and a strategic view of a successful NFP organisation. Not to mention you will receive important insights around health and well being in the workplace, and for you personally.

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